One in five charity board members are unlikely to recommend the role to others, a survey has found.

The survey of 2,000 trustees found that four in five say they would be likely or very likely to recommend trusteeship.

However, that leaves 400 trustees unable to say they would be likely to persuade others to take up a seat on a charity board.

The findings have emerged from research by the Charity Commission and think tank Pro Bono Economics (PBE), which will publish the full findings next year.

Earlier this week separate research released by the NCVO found that four in five charities are operating with at least one vacant trustee position amid a “trustee recruitment crisis”.

A third of charities say vacant positions have remained unfilled for more than a year, according to the NCVO.

The Charity Commission and PBE survey suggests that focusing on using skills in a different setting, strengthening ties with a particular cause they are passionate about, and fostering links with the local community could help persuade people to fill board vacancies.

It found that two in three trustees have cited these factors as major benefits of the role.

“Being a trustee gives me an insight into worlds that I am fascinated by and gives me an opportunity to learn more about them and also to influence – to a certain degree – the direction the charity takes,” said BBC broadcaster Reeta Chakrabarti, who is a trustee of two charities and is helping promote the role.

The research has been released to coincide with Trustees Week, which is taking place this week to promote the role among the public.

Promotion includes the launch of a series of videos from trustees to share their personal stories.



Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said: “Trustees are a driving force in charities, whose work is often unseen, taking place behind-the-scenes of charities’ front-line work.

“Trustees’ Week gives us a welcome opportunity, once a year, to bring their work into the limelight, to celebrate and thank trustees for the contribution they make, and support and encourage more people to step up and take on the rewarding role.”

Pro Bono Economics chief executive Matt Whittaker added: “Trusteeship isn’t just about giving back; it’s about gaining, too.

“This early snippet from PBE’s research reaffirms that being a trustee not only connects people to causes and communities they care deeply about, but people feel that it also sharpens their skills.”

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